Weston Middle School STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 Weston Middle School 205 East Wallace Street Weston, OR 97886 541-566-3548 Website: www.wms.athwest.k12.or.us Facebook: Athena-Weston School District 1 WMS School Day 7:30 School Office Opens Cafeteria Open for Breakfast 7:35 Playground Supervised 7:45 First Bell Buses Arrive/Main Building Opens 7:55 5 Minute Warning Bell – Head to Class! 8:00 – 8:46 Period 1 8:50 – 9:34 Period 2 9:38 – 10:22 Period 3 10:26 –11:10 Period 4 11:14 –11:58 Period 5/ 4th and 5th Grade Lunch 12:02 –12:42 6/7 Lunch and 8th Grade Period 6 12:46 –1:30 6/7 Period 7 and 8th Grade Lunch 1:34 – 2:18 Period 8 2:21– 3:10 Period 9 3:05 4th and 5th Grade Dismissal 3:10 6/7/8 Grade Dismissal 3:30 Staff Leaves 4:00 School Office Closes Messages for staff may be left before and after regular office hours by voice mail (541-566-3548) or by email. (See the “Staff” tab on the school website for teachers’ email addresses.) 2 Welcome to Weston Middle School! We are glad to have you as a member of our learning community. At WMS our first concern is that you achieve academically so that you acquire the skills necessary to become a successful high school student. The staff here is committed to helping you with that goal. Students can have a huge impact on their academic success by coming to school every day and completing assignments. Teachers use a variety of means to communicate with students and parents about assignments and upcoming events. Please be sure that you know your teachers’ methods of assigning work and due dates. Turning assignments in on time is the number one way that you can ensure academic success! Behavior Expectations at Weston Middle School At WMS we have three community rules: 1. Be Safe 2. Be Respectful 3. Be Responsible If you simply follow these three rules, you will be successful at WMS. Inappropriate Behavior Definitions Minor Infractions Infractions that are minor in nature include, but are not limited to, the following behaviors: class disruptions, tardiness, not dressing for PE, chewing gum, inappropriate tone or attitude, being unprepared for class, minor use of profanity, minor technology violations, and failure to follow directions. When a minor infraction occurs, teachers and staff members will utilize a variety of appropriate, logical consequences designed to change behavior, such as: reminders/redirection, seating change, assignment to a buddy room, conference with student and/or parents, and assignment to detention. If interventions do not achieve a change in behavior, the teachers and building administrator will require a meeting with the student and his/her parents to design a behavior plan and/or behavior contract. Major Infractions Major referrals are serious in nature. They include, but are not limited to, the following behaviors: purposeful defiance, fighting, skipping class, bringing a weapon to school, drug/alcohol/tobacco infractions, major classroom disruptions, major technology violations, use of profanity toward a staff member, and serious harassment. Major infractions are recorded, and the consequence is usually a suspension. Parents will be notified either by mail or phone for each major referral. Depending upon the nature of the infraction, referral to law enforcement is possible. 3 Five-Step System for Helping WMS Students Manage Their Behavior STEP 1: MLT (Model/Lead/Teach): When staff notices that student behavior is inappropriate, they ask the student questions regarding the school rules to be sure that the student understands the rule in question completely. If the student does not respond correctly, staff states the rule in a way that can be understood. STEP 2: Classroom/Playground Interventions: If rules are still not being followed after it is clear the student understands the rule, a series of classroom/playground interventions are used. These interventions are designed to provide immediate and logical feedback to the student as well as an opportunity for the student to learn how to behave appropriately in the future. The consequence is decided by the adult in charge and is carried out immediately. All staff members may invoke classroom and playground interventions when they are sure the student understands that their behavior is inappropriate and it is not necessary to MLT (Step1). Classroom and playground interventions include, but are not limited to: offering help, changing activities, acknowledging someone who is behaving appropriately, providing choice, having a private conversation with the student, providing preferential seating, removing the student from the activity, using proximity, assigning work detail, and assigning detention. STEP 3: Parent Intervention: If using the MLT strategy and Classroom/Playground Interventions are not successful, staff will contact parents to enlist their support in correcting their child’s behavior. Step 4: Team Intervention Whereas classroom and playground interventions are immediate and made by individuals, team interventions take time and are made by more than one staff member. Team interventions may include conducting a team meeting, developing a positive behavior support plan, completing a functional behavior assessment, documenting interventions, brainstorming solutions, and sharing information. STEP 5: Office Intervention Office interventions should only be used after the other steps have been exhausted or the infraction is severe enough to require immediate attention from the office. 4 WMS Dress Code Students at WMS are to wear clothing that supports learning, displays respect for self and others, and is safe for school activities. Definitions and Examples: Underclothing--Clothing worn to protect private areas of our bodies. Examples: bras, underwear, panties, compression shorts. Layers--Clothing worn underneath outer garments. Examples: t-shirts, tank tops, leggings, tights, camisoles, socks. Outer Clothing--Top layer of clothing worn over underclothing and layers. Bottoms—Outer clothing that covers continuously from waist/hip to below at least fingertip length when arms are extended straight down and to the side of the body. Examples: Pants, skirts, dresses. Tops—Outer clothing that covers continuously from neck line to waist/hip, starting at a level no lower than the top of the armpit. Tops must fit, be solid, and have a four-inch shoulder seam. Collars are optional. Tube tops and halter tops are not allowed. Sunglasses & Hats--Protective items that are to be worn outside. Accessories--Decorative additions to clothing that must be respectful to others. Examples: Belts, jewelry, scarves Rules: 1. Underclothing should be unseen at all times. Outer clothing and layers should cover these items. 2. Layers should be worn only as layers and must meet fitting/covering guidelines outlined in Outer Clothing. Leggings may be worn as long as they are covered by outer clothing that meets the fingertip rule. Holes in outer clothing that expose skin must also meet the fingertip rule. 3. Shoes must be appropriate for daily school activities. Examples: athletic shoes for P.E. and shoes with heels that do not pose a danger when climbing stairs. Slippers are only allowed on Pajama Days. 4. Chains are not allowed on clothing. 5. Bandanas and masks are not hats and are not allowed. 6. Having writing on your skin at school is not allowed. If you have writing on your arms, legs, etc., you will be asked to wash it off. 7. Dress for 8th grade recognition should be appropriate for a public occasion and meets the school dress code. The final decision on what is appropriate will rest with the teachers and principal. Inappropriate dress will preclude a student from the program. 8. If you represent the school in a voluntary activity, you may be required to meet additional dress and grooming standards approved by the principal. You may be denied the opportunity to participate if those standards are not met. 9. All clothing and accessories must be appropriate for a school atmosphere. Clothing or accessories that promote use of alcohol, tobacco, or controlled substances are not allowed. In addition, clothing and accessories may not contain sexual, lewd, profane, or discriminatory messages. 10. The principal reserves the right to determine inappropriate clothing beyond these guidelines. 5 Important Information about Weston Middle School Schoolwide expectations, rules, and policies help to create a safe and orderly environment for students and staff. School rules apply on school grounds, inside the school building, at bus stops, on school buses, and at all school-sponsored events. If the need arises to create new school rules during the academic year, we will let you know through the daily announcements and/or written notification. Students are responsible to know and follow all school rules and district policies as presented in this handbook and on the school and district websites. If you have questions about any school or district rule, please do not hesitate to ask. Admission A student seeking enrollment in the district for the first time must meet all academic, age, immunization, tuition and other eligibility prerequisites for admission as set forth in state law, Board policy and administrative regulations. Students and their parents should contact the office for admission requirements. The district may deny regular school admission to a student who is expelled from another school district and who subsequently becomes a resident of the district or who applies for admission to the district as a nonresident student. The district shall deny regular school admission to a student who is expelled from another school district for an offense that constitutes a violation of applicable state or federal weapons law and who subsequently becomes a resident of the district or who applies for admission to the district as a nonresident student. Alternative education services may, at the discretion of the district, be provided to students expelled from another school district for violation of applicable state or federal weapon law and who subsequently become a resident of the district.